Movable counterweighted dartboard

ABSTRACT

A target is structured to shift to a new location in reaction to being struck by a missile. The target is mounted so as to simultaneously rotate and experience lateral displacement on a horizontal track when a missile such as a dart becomes affixed to the target at a point on either side of a vertical line extending through the target&#39;&#39;s center.

United States Patent m1 Imatt et al. Se t. 4 1973 [54] MOVABLE COUNTERWEIGHTED 3,413,003 11/1968 Bell 273/1052 DARTBOAR $13333? $51323 k 2459312;

, ee [76] Inventors: Alex Imatt, 1595 N. Calle LaCumbre; Derek Brand, 2132 N. Lynhurst Ave, both f 11 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham C lif. 93010 Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind [22] Filed Apr 21 1971 AttorneyPastoriza & Kelly 211 App]. No.2 135,994

[57] ABSTRACT [52] (1273/1011 273/ 10251 6 102 A target is structured to shift to a new location in reacl l t 27 5 2 tion to being struck by a missile. The target is mounted B d R 102 so as to simultaneously rotate and experience lateral l v 1 le 0 E 1 05 46 8 displacement on a horizontal track when a missile such I as a dart becomes affixed to the target at a point on either side of a vertical line extending through the tar- [56] References Cited gevs center.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,109,645 11/1963 Thorson 46/202 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 'PATENTEDSEP 4 i875 3. 7 56, 5 9 9 INVENTORS.

ALEX IMA'IT BY DEREK BRAND Paw/f ve x F 4?.

' ATTORNEYS l MOVABLE COUNTERWEIGHTED DARTBOARD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to games of skill and more specifically to a target capable of moving in response to being struck by a missile.

Different types of dart games with conventional stationary targets have been played for many years by people of all ages.

Variations of the basic dart game wherein the dart board or target revolves or spins on a stationary axis are disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,076,002 to Clarke (1913), US. Pat. No. 2,056,095 to Cookson (1936) and US. Pat. No. 2,179,471 to Lee (1939).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated this invention is a challenging sport or game of skill, capable of amusing and being enjoyed by contestants and spectators.

In its broader aspects the movable target game incorporates a generally horizontally aligned track and a statically balanced target which is supported on the track for lateral movement and has an exposed strike zone for releasably holding missiles such as darts.

When a missile is thrown by a contestant at the strike zone and it becomes attached to the target at a point on either side of a vertical line passing through the target center, the missile is automatically caused to gravitationally descend and thereby force the target to move laterally along the track until static balance of the target is restored.

The target is of circular cross section and rests in rolling engagement on the track so that the target is caused to roll over the track as the missile gravitationally'descends through an arcuate path. The target includes a front plate that carries the strike zone, counterweight means, and an intermediate rotatable element arranged in rolling engagement with the track and rigidly interconnecting the front plate and counterweight means.

The track is preferably constituted by a pair of parallel rails and the rotatable element has a pair of oppositely extending wheels that rest upon corresponding rails while an enlarged hub portion is disposed between the rails for centering or guidance purposes.

In order to measure the extent of lateral displacement a stationary reference scale is provided along with indicating meanscoupled to the target and arranged to point at the reference scale. Different rules and scoring systems can be used and the strike zone can be marked with indicia to accommodate different versions of playing the movable target game.

BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The numerous benefits and unique aspects of the present invention will be fully understood when the following description is studied in conjunction with the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 a movable target game 1-0 is ment upon becoming statically imbalanced in a manner that shall be fully described.

Target 11 has a front plate 12 exposed to or facing the person or contestant preparing to play the game 10. Arranged behind and generally concealed by front plate 12 is a generally disc shaped counterweight 13 with a periphery 14. The weight of counterweight is substantially equivalent to or slightly greater than the weight of front plate 12 so that tendencies of front plate 12 to shift to one side or the other for reasons to be described are facilitated and not impeded.

Disposed between front plate 12 and counterweight 13 is a rotatable element 15 with a central enlarged hub 15 and a pair of oppositely extending wheels 17 and 18. The wheels 17 and 18 are rigidly connected by conventional mechanical or adhesive means to both front plate 12 and counterweight 13 so that the front plate 12, counterweight l3'and rotatable element 15, which constitute the target 11, are held together as a unit.

Positioned beneath rotatable element 7 15 and between front plate 12 andcounterweight 13 is a substantially horizontally aligned track 19 of indefinite length, having a pair of parallel rails 20 and 21 which directly engage and support wheels 17 and 18. The thickness d, of hub 16 is less than the distance d between rails 20 and 21 so that the track 19 constitutes a centering de vice or guideway for the entire target 11 as wheels 17 and 18 make rolling contact over rails 20 and 21.

An indicator arrow 22 has a lower end formed with a point 23 and a window 24 and an upper end formed with a mounting aperture 25. When a pivot pin 26 is inserted through aperture 25 and is connected to the center of counterweight 13, then indicator arrow 22 is mounted so as to hang freely and is prevented from slipping out of position by pin stop head 27. Pin 26 may be of sufficient length to penetrate through counterfined by a series of circles 29 and the edge 30. The particular type of projectile or missile may vary andby way ofexample may be a dart 32 with a piercing tip 33 or a dart 34 with a suction cup tip 35. As a variation the missile, rather than being releasably held by front plate 12 directly, may be releasably held by some intermediate element coupled to front plate 12. In this regard the intermediate element maybe a peg 36 and the missile may be a toss ring 37 or the intermediate element may be a retaining cup 38 shaped and oriented to accept and hold a ball 39 tossed into cup 38.

When the missile is a dart 32 with a piercing tip 33 the front plate 12 is preferably constructed from three layers of material, i.e.; a rubber facing sheet 40 shown with exaggerated thickness for purposes of description, a backing plate 14 constructed from wood plastic or metal and an intermediate core 42 fabricated from plastic or rubber foam material that is sufficiently firm to hold a penetrating dart 32. Facing sheet 40 is a selfhealing or self-sealing in the sense that when darts are removed from their puncture holes the resiliency of the rubber or equivalent material causes the torn edge'to deflect and at least partially close the puncture hole.

Referring primarily to FIG. 2 the major components of the movable target game are shown assembled for game play use. Front plate 12, counterweight l3 and rotatable element 15 are coaxially aligned. Wheels 17 and 18 of rotatable element 15 rest upon and make rolling engagement with rails 20 and 21 respectively. Indicator arrow 22 is vertically aligned and held by pivot pin 26 which is coupled to and coaxially aligned with at least counterweight 13. A dart 32 is shown in strike zone 28 and releasably held by front plate 12.

Referring primarily to FIG. 3 a schematically depicted dart 32a is shown releasably held in strike zone 28 to the lower left of a vertical line V passing through the center of front plate 12. Another schematically depicted dart 32b is shown releasably held in strike zone 28 to the upper right of the vertical line V. The entire target 1 l is structurally arranged for lateral or sideways movement in either direction, as represented by letter T and is capable of moving either clockwise or counterclockwise as represented by letter R.

At a point beneath target 1 1 there is a stationary reference scale 43 having a left side 44 and a right side 45. The left side 44 carries indicia constituted by numerals 1 through reading from right to left and the right side 45 also carries indicia in the form of numerals 1 through 5 reading from left to right. When a dart or other missile is thrown, shot or otherwise impelled towards the target 11 and becomes releasably held in the strike zone 28 then, unless the missile coincides with vertical line V, the combined weights of the target 11 and missile will result in a statically imbalanced condition.

When this event occurs the missile descends under gravitational force to a point on vertical line V during which time target 11 is caused to travel along track 19. As each succeeding missile is likewise thrown at and held in the strike zone 28 a new center of gravity of the total mass constituted by the target 11 and all the missiles is created and the target 11 is caused to rotate and laterally shift to different positions as the changing center of gravities are brought into coincidence with the vertical line V.

Coaction between indicator arrow 22 and reference scale 43 permit the amount of horizontal displacement between a previous position or the center reference point and a new position to be measured. Scale 43 may be constructed from transparent plastic and positioned either forwardly or rearwardly of the depending indicator arrow 22. Scale 43 may be independently mounted or connected to track 19 by mechanical links or webs (not shown).

OPERATION Keeping the above construction in mind it can be understood how the movable target game operates.

When a dart 32 is impelled towards target 11 and becomes affixed to the front plate 12 at position 32b then the combined mass of the target 11 and arrow 32 becomes statically unbalanced. As the dart 32b gravitationally descends along a relatively long arcuate path as indicated by the dotted line the target 11 rotates clockwise and shifts laterally to the right. When the arrow 32b comes to rest on the vertical line V beneath the center of front plate 12 then movement of the target 11 will cease and the amount of displacement can be measured by the coaction of arrow 22 and scale 5 43.

If the first arrow strikes the target 11 at position 32a then, by way of contrast, it can be seen that the arrow will gravitationally descend through a relatively small arcuate path and the target 11 will be caused to rotate counterclockwise and shift to the left through a correspondingly small displacement. As second and subsequent arrows are affixed to the target 12 the-target will be forced to successively shift to new positions either in the same or opposite directions.

The movable dart game can be played by one or more players following different sets of rules, procedures, formats and scoring systems. By way of example the game objective may be to move the target as far as possible or through a predetermined distance with a certain number of missiles, maintain the target at a central reference location while being required to throw a certain number of missiles etc. Again the particular game rules and objectives can be almost unlimited but the operation of the movable game itself will remain basically the same.

When a missile is thrown and causes a change in the center of gravity, the target 11 develops momentum in being displaced to a new position. In accordance with a variation of this movable target game, by strategically shooting additional missiles into the target 11 while it is rolling the target can be caused to either gain momentum and advance or lose momentum and reverse its path of travel.

In order to limit lateral travel by target 11, stops or gates may be placed on the track 19 at equal or different distances from the center of scale 43. The track may be slightly V-shaped with half sections diverging along gentle slopes from a central point above the center of scale 43.

Because the overall target 11 is statically balanced it can be easily manually repositioned and, for example, placed over the center of scale 43 prior to beginning a new game or round.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the present invention has provided a movable target game in which all of the various advantages are fully realized.

We claim:

1. A movable target assembly comprising:

a. a generally horizontal track constituted by a pair of parallel rails;

b. a target in contact with the rails and including;

b.l. a front plate carrying an exposed strike zone for releasably holding missiles,

b.2. counter weight means,

b.3. a rotatable element positioned between and arranged to rigidly interconnect the front plate and counter weight means, the rotatable element having a pair of oppositely extending wheels that rest in rolling engagement on corresponding rails and an enlarged hub disposed between the rails.

c. wherein when a missile strikes the strike zone and becomes attached to the target on either side of a vertical line through the target center, themissile is caused to gravitationally descend and thereby force the target to move laterally with the rotatable element rolling along the track until static balance is restored.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein;

the front plate and counterweight means have the same cross sectional shape and are disposed on opposite sides of the track.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein;

the front plate includes a foam core and a facing sheet constructed from generally self-sealing material, and,

the missile is a dart.

4. The structure according to claim 1, including:

a stationary reference scale; and,

indicating means coupled to the target and arranged to point at the reference scale.

5. The structure according to claim 4, wherein;

the indicating means is an arrow coupled to freely hang from the target.

6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein;

the free end of the arrow is positioned beneath the lowest part of the target.

7. A movable target game comprising:

a. a substantially horizontal track;

b. a front plate having a strike zone for releasably holding missiles;

c. counterweight means axially spaced from the front plate;

d. a rotatable element positioned in rolling engagement on the track and positioned between and arranged to rigidly interconnect the face plate and counterweight means;

e. a stationary reference scale; and,

f. indicating means coupled to the counterweight means and arranged to point at the reference scale,

wherein when a missile strikes the strike zone and becomes attached to the front plate on either side of a vertical line through the front plate, the missile is caused to gravitationally descend and thereby force the rotatable element, counterweight means and frontal plate to move laterally along the track as a unit until static balance is restored.

8. The structure according to claim 7, wherein;

the track is constituted by a pair of parallel rails, and,

the rotatable element has a pair of oppositely extending wheels that rest upon corresponding rails and an enlarged hub disposed between the rails. 

1. A movable target assembly comprising: a. a generally horizontal track constituted by a pair of parallel rails; b. a target in contact with the rails and including; b.1. a front plate carrying an exposed strike zone for releasably holding missiles, b.2. counter weight means, b.3. a rotatable element positioned between and arranged to rigidly interconnect the front plate and counter weight means, the rotatable element having a pair of oppositely extending wheels that rest in rolling engagement on corresponding rails and an enlarged hub disposed between the rails. c. wherein when a missile strikes the strike zone and becomes attached to the target on either side of a vertical line through the target center, the missile is caused to gravitationally descend and thereby force the target to move laterally with the rotatable element rolling along the track until static balance is restored.
 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein; the front plate and counterweight means have the same cross sectional shape and are disposed on opposite sides of the track.
 3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein; the front plate includes a foam core and a facing sheet constructed from generally self-sealing material, and, the missile is a dart.
 4. The structure according to claim 1, including: a stationary reference scale; and, indicating means coupled to the target and arranged to point at the reference scale.
 5. The structure according to claim 4, wherein; the indicating means is an arrow coupled to freely hang from the target.
 6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein; the free end of the arrow is positioned beneath the lowest part of the target.
 7. A movable target game comprising: a. a substantially horizontal track; b. a front plate having a strike zone for releasably holding missiles; c. counterweight means axially spaced from the front plate; d. a rotatable element positioned in rolling engagement on the track and positioned between and arranged to rigidly interconnect the face plate and counterweight means; e. a stationary reference scale; and, f. indicating means coupled to the counterweight means and arranged to point at the reference scale, wherein when a missile strikes the strike zone and becomes attached to the front plate on either side of a vertical line through the front plate, the missile is caused to gravitationally descend and thereby force the rotatable element, counterweight means and frontal plate to move laterally along the track as a unit until static balance is restored.
 8. The structure according to claim 7, wherein; the track is constituted by a pair of parallel rails, and, the rotatable element has a pair of oppositely extending wheels that rest upon corresponding rails and an enlarged hub disposed between the rails. 